Macbook Power Adapter Issues

[Ch40s]

I purchased my 2.4ghz Macbook a couple weeks back, and the first time I went to recharge the battery via the Magsafe power adapter it would not work. The indicator light was not on, and the Macbook was still running on battery. Assuming it was nothing, I fiddled with this and adjusted that and eventually got it working after moving the connection site between the Macbook plug in wire and the "big white block thingy". It's been fine since.

Fast forward to today, however, I plug in the adapter and the light does not come on and the Macbook is still running on battery. So I assume it'll be a quick fix like it was the first time, but after adjusting this and fiddling with that the power adapter will still not work.

So I bring both the power adapter and the Macbook down to Future Shop where I bought them, knowing it's a free replacement on the broken power adapter. First we started by plugging my Macbook in with a different adapter. It worked. Great, I was right, it's my power adapter that's broken. Wrong. The guy plugs my Macbook in via my power adapter, and it works. After a frustrating series of questions such as "are you sure you plugged it in" and whatnot, I'm back at home and it's working.

So now I'm left to conclude that there is something up with my Macbook. A wire loose by the port, I'm sure, since it took me carrying it around for the power adapter to work again.

So my question is, if it is indeed something wrong with the Macbook, what type of solution am I looking at? If one day the power adapter does not work at all (even at Future Shop, Murphy's forces permitting), will it be a quick "let's open your laptop, oh here's what's loose"? Or is this going to be a "you need whole new laptop, you'll get it from Apple in a couple weeks (months)"?. Perhaps some solution in between? I use my Macbook for school (all my notes) so this could potentially be a big problem.

[Rathji]

Chances are it is a short in the cord someplace, if I had to randomly diagnose the problem given what you have described. I have only a vague idea how the Magsafe charging works so I could be way off base with that. Try doing a google search to identify possible product flaws that are widespread. Also, make some posts on the Apple support boards or call the support number and get some troubleshooting help.

The regardless of what is broken, the thing is broken, be it inside the case, in the power adapter or where ever. Who cares WHY it is broken, but it is broken. You need a new one, and you should not have to pay for it. If you are lucky, it is the cord and you can see if they will swap it with a good one, or just buy a new power supply for you to have in your bag in case you forget one at home. However you are dealing with FutureShop here, so this might be as painful and chewing off your own left testicle, but with the proper tools and motivation you can get it done.

I would demand that it be replaced.

If they refuse to replace or fix what is broken, then ask to return it as defective.

If they refuse to do that, then call your CC company and see what they will do about charging it back since they sold you a defective product.

If none of this works, head to Shoppers Drug Mart and buy one a 32 Oz bottle of AstroGlide and a package of notepads. The lube because you gonna get screwed when they send your laptop in and you get it back in December, and the notepads since you gonna have to take notes on something.

p.s. I hate FutureShop with a passion, and if I was buying a Mac, I would probably order online.

[Ch40s]

It would definitely make life a lot easier if it was just the power adapter, and based on what I've read from Apple it shouldn't be too difficult to make Future Shop replace it. Even in the worst case scenario I could just send it back to Apple and get a replacement. Also, I could just use a friend's adapter while I'm adapter-less.

I'm sure it's a whole other story if it's the Macbook.

[llama64]

Just bring it back to Futureshop with the same problems and explain that the power adaptor is randomly failing. Don't leave till they replace it. I had that exact same symptoms with a Toshiba laptop and it turned out that the power adaptor had a defect in it.

[iggypop]

I would just back up all your important files on a PC or friends PC, return it under the 30 day exchange policy, and then just simply buy another one the next day.

[Titan]

I would probably try LLama's advice first, and no matter what make sure you have your important stuff backed up. If you are getting close to the 30 day return period just take it back and order a new one from apple online. You may also want to consider a refurbish as it is a lot cheaper and I think the warranty is the same.

[Traditional_Ale]

Doesn't this make about 4-5 Mac problem threads to the last PC problem thread?

[Ch40s]

Well thankfully right now I can eventually get the adapter to charge if I screw with it for awhile, so it's not an emergency.

I'm not the type of person who "abuses" a return policy by refunding a product based on a small problem, so I highly doubt I'll go that route, especially since this is a school laptop and while the files themselves aren't difficult to backup, getting a whole new Macbook would be a hassle. Instead I'm going to confirm it is the Macbook itself that has the problem by testing a friend's adapter (and mine on his Macbook). If it's the adapter, like I said, it's a free replacement.

Also, instead of having to deal with Future Shop, I'll just take the Macbook (if it is indeed the problem) to an authorized mac dealer, and if I must, just use the 30 day return.

Does anyone know of an authorized mac dealer in southwest Calgary, or will I have to go downtown?

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Ch40s

Well thankfully right now I can eventually get the adapter to charge if I screw with it for awhile, so it's not an emergency.

I'm not the type of person who "abuses" a return policy by refunding a product based on a small problem, so I highly doubt I'll go that route, especially since this is a school laptop and while the files themselves aren't difficult to backup, getting a whole new Macbook would be a hassle. Instead I'm going to confirm it is the Macbook itself that has the problem by testing a friend's adapter (and mine on his Macbook). If it's the adapter, like I said, it's a free replacement.

Also, instead of having to deal with Future Shop, I'll just take the Macbook (if it is indeed the problem) to an authorized mac dealer, and if I must, just use the 30 day return.

Does anyone know of an authorized mac dealer in southwest Calgary, or will I have to go downtown?

Go to Westworld on Centre st n. Avoid MyMacDealer.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Ch40s

I'm not the type of person who "abuses" a return policy by refunding a product based on a small problem

Abusing a return policy? Have you ever considered how these return policies and warranties work?

I bought a mouse about 2 years ago, and then a year later the scroll wheel broke. I had spent 100 bucks on the mouse but I didn't purchase the 15 buck replacement plan, because I figured it was worthless. No big deal. I went and bought another mouse. This time I figured 2 years for 15 bucks is a good idea, so I get it.

6 months later I drop it off my desk and the left mouse button breaks. Mouse is useless. I send mouse back, they send me my money back and i buy a new mouse. 4 months later, the dongle on the wireless mouse breaks right off. I take it back and get an across the counter exhange. I am using my new mouse that I have had for a month, and yesterday my scroll wheel jams up.

Tommorow I go and get a new mouse, no charge.

You might think this is abusing the return policy and the warranty I purchased, but think of it this way: Out of 100 people who bought the same product with the same replacement plan, how many have problems that require replacing? a dozen? Lets say 20, which I think is absurdly high, since any product that has a 20% self destruct rate needs to be taken off the market, but lets go with it.

15 bucks for the plan, 100 people, so they take in 1500 bucks. Even if you take into account full retail price, which we KNOW they don't pay, they have just given away 20 mice, at 100 bucks each, so they have lost 2000 bucks for a net loss of $500, if they take the mice at full retail.

Now, take into account that every single person who gets a new mouse gives them back the old one. Left mouse button broken, dongle smashed, cord cut in 2, scroll wheel mangled beyond repair. Even if they spend 20% of the value of that mouse in refurbishing it, and then sell it at 50% off, they are making 600 bucks off that. This brings our net profit at this point to $100.

So in addition to the profit they made on the initial sale, the profit they made on the return, since remember I did the math using Full retail value, they made an additional $100. Just for fixing my mouse that was broken and selling it to someone else.

You are getting bent over on every electronic purchase you make, because the 1 year manufacturers warranty works JUST like this plan does. You just don't have a choice on buying it like I did with my Product Replacement Plan from BestBuy. It is built right into the price.

Don't tell me for a minute that returning something that is broken is abusing a policy. Even though you said you didn't want that warranty coverage when you paid for it, doesn't mean it didn't happen.

[Ch40s]

I had it in the back of my mind that someone might make a big deal about that, I guess the quotes didn't work.

Like I mentioned, it would be a much bigger hassle to just return the whole Macbook. Looking around mac forums it appears that similar problems have been resolved quickly as they seem to be based on a simple misconnection by the port or some such.

If I returned all of my purchases at the first sign of a hiccup I'd be in line at customer service daily.